Remember, what we show here is what you need to go learn, not a tutorial. If you do not posses the skills to perform at this level, do NOT attempt. Support us on Patreon: / anvil
@@marknovak8255 Would you believe your videos actually keep me awake? When I follow your advice I'm usually swearing like a sailor looking for a dropped pin or screw... :)
@@eaglethehulk8539 I agree. PBS would never show anything about big scary guns. Mark is a treasure. This is about the fifth video I watched since it popped up in my suggested videos. I subbed and rang the bell. I restore/repair neglected electric guitars. I find some things I do the same and some things I learned that will help me.
I remember an old machinist guy had one 40 years ago, that I visited for some forgotten reason. He was rebarelling it and doing other reco work. Typical of gun nuts he was super friendly and said, look at this. Thanks Mark. They were great guys in that rifle club. I was a long haired 20 something kid but they didn't judge.
Johnson is lowkey an unsung hero of American firearm history. From introducing the multi-lug bolts that are so common today to pretty much being the man who is responsible to 5.56 development (he necked down .30 carbine to ~5mm, albeit it was not a commercial success at the time, unfortunately), he was definitely decades ahead of his time, just like the other irrational firearm designers like Korobov, though Korobov and Johnson had completely different taste and invented different things, both did not receive the praise they should have done.
QUALIFYING STATEMENT: I’m the son of a Nav junior NCO (AMH2 Eckerman, wherever you may be, fair winds and following seas), who spent his Vietnam era GI Bill on a gunsmithing course.
I fell in love with this rifle the moment I saw it. It's far too complicated to be assembled in the field, but I love the design more than the Garand anyway. The army made the best choice with the M1, and I like it too, but the rarity and engineering of the Johnson just seems to call to me. Thank you so much for this video.
Lotsa parts . I can see why the M1 Garand came out top dog . Still wouldn't feel under gunned with one though. Thank you Mark, for taking the time to show the workings of this classic!
I am 60 years old and am a history lover, especially WWII. This is the first time I have ever heard of this rifle much less seen one. Very informative. Thanks.
Forgotten Weapons has some good videos on the Johnson. ua-cam.com/video/aY19tDMDvr4/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/aY19tDMDvr4/v-deo.html and the Johnson LMG ua-cam.com/video/nGpgPKkqtMs/v-deo.html
I've always found "Sailor Type Talk", or any branch really, to be preferable flinging tools around. I've worked with guys who get mad and start throwing tools and I have always found that ridiculous, or maybe even dangerous. Another fantastic presentation. Thank you for providing them. 👍
I regretfully must admit I am one of those idiots. Many times I would just smash the object into pieces due to extreme frustration. I have learned to call professionals and watch if feasible or possibly just hold the light.
i was a tool thrower for a short time early in my career as an auto mechanic. Problem was, the tool you threw was always the one you needed next somehow. So now I'm mad, and crawling under my bench on hands and knees because the tool always ended up all the way against the wall...I learned very quickly to place the tool in my hand down on the workbench, and take a step back before attempting to vent my frustration...haha
In 2005 when the Cabela’s first opened up in Fort Worth we had one of these in the Gun Library. Beautiful weapon. I had never heard of a Johnson Rifle,only the Garand. I guess some Marine Raiders were issued this weapon in the Pacific and nobody else.
The original bolt handle and the extractor are also designed to be used as field screwdrivers. So, with a .30 Cal Ball Round and just the easily accessible components of the rifle, you can do a complete Field Strip of the weapon without any other tools. To remove the Bolt Handle, you would use the ridge on the back of a .30 Cal case to slide up the pin in the center of the bolt handle to remove the bolt handle from the bolt. This also allows you to remove the extractor from the bolt. The Bolt Hold Open is operated by the Magazine Follower. When the follower is all the way to "Magazine Empty" the bolt holder swings up and holds the bolt open so you are able to put in a 5rd charger and fill it.
Aside from the six-lug rotating bolt, the buffer tube is also a clear indicator that this rifle had quite a bit of influence on Eugene Stoner’s design of the AR-15. This is a truly underrated design and it’s great to see it being restored so beautifully. A true testament to the appreciation for quality engineering
I bought mine when I was a teenager. Paid $50.00 for it! Owned it for 40 years and love to shoot it. In college we’d buy a full can of Ball ammo and shoot up the range. I wonder what it’s worth today.
Owning a Johnson 1941 has been a dream of mine ever since I first read about them in service with the Para Marines in the Pacific. Just have to win that darned lottery first. Semper Fidelis!
I feel fortunate never to have had to disassemble my JSAR. All it ever seems to need for cleaning is the removal of barrel and bolt and a wipe down. Very accurate, very pleasant to shoot. It's heresy, but in some ways I prefer it to a Garand.
Preference isn't necessarily heresy, just if you were to express an opinion upon the garrand being deficient in comparison. That would be heresy to most who would make the claim.
No they didn’t. The Johnsons arrived to late. The Dutch Marines did used the Johnson right after the war for a short time. It quickly was replaced by the M1 Garand
@@dutchman2205 "The M1941 was ordered by the Netherlands for issue to the KNIL in the Dutch East Indies, but only 1,999 rifles were shipped to the Dutch East Indies before the Japanese invaded.[7] At this time, the U.S. Marine Corps found itself in need of a modern fast-firing infantry rifle, and acquired some rifles from the Dutch East Indies shipment for issue to its Paramarine battalions then preparing to deploy for action in the Pacific theatre. By all accounts,[citation needed] the M1941 performed acceptably in combat with the Marines in the early days of the Pacific fighting."
@@Kobrag90 a lot of the rifles from the Dutch East Indies troops ended up in Australia when they were evacuated. Most of the troops that stayed in Australia to go back in a Guerilla type operation were equipped then with Australian smle rifles and ammunition as they were only evacuated with the munitions they carried at the time.
This is the only way to really see how a particular arm works. You can field strip or watch someone strip it but unless you see the arm completely disassembled and reassembled you still don't completely know. Love theses especially this one so far..
Great video, thanks! I believe the hole in the bottom of the recoil spring plug is there to allow lubrication of the buffer assembly, which cannot otherwise be accessed.
There’s nothing like the unwinding to the sounds of a true artisan bringing this time capsule back to life. The soft tapping of a hammer, the low hum of a torch kissing the strong ancient steel, and the sturdy, positive locking of the huge reciprocating action really takes me to another place. I love this content and I really feel lucky to be able to experience this amazing work. Keep up the awesome content, Mark. We appreciate the valuable work that you bring to the historical and firearms community. It’s a labor of love, and we certainly can feel it. Keep it up my friend!
It's such a profound joy to see these pieces of history being brought back to life and conserved for the future generations, even though I'll personally never get to actually see them. Well done once again Mark!
@@redtobertshateshandles There isn't even a single one here in Finland. Also I meant the specific individual guns being restored, but thank you anyway.
Don't recall how many times I had to take this thing apart to learn this same stuff, but it was plenty. If you need a new bolt handle, look around for one off a Remington Model 81.
Actually some did arrive, there are even pictures of them in use by Royal Dutch Navy ( or possibly the marines on board a ship). But yeah not quick enough to save the KNIL from their doom.
I knew a old gunsmith years ago that repaired his cracked/broken toilet bowl wirh Acra Glass. I swear that between Acra Glass and Cerrosafe a fellow could probably cure erectile dis function! The best products on earth.
OK, this is a beauty of a gun. No doubt. But, what's more of interest for me is your well made explanations and lessons. I really appreciate the way you get into to the functionality of these guns and let us take part of your perceptions. Thumb up, and waiting for the next story...
Mark, Thank you! Always outstanding to see some history come through the shop and go out in operating conditions and better 99.9999% of the time. Always a pleasure to see your content and information.
Learning something new every time I watch your work. I loved the intermission to explain the missing component behind the recoil spring. It made me laugh for sure.
I had a chance to buy one of these. Money was the issue, of course. But I would have been totally at-sea with this design if I had. I am quite impressed that Melvin Johnson got that rotary magazine working in such a short time.
I've always thought that this magazine system has some real advantages over the Garand...I like that "top up the mag" feature. Its not as good as a detachable box mag....but better than a Garand en bloc clip, for sure.
@@endutubecensorship And it could be done with the bolt closed and a round in the chamber,either single cartridges or on 5 round stripper clips.The trick was not to shoot until the mag was empty but just keep topping it up.
Outstanding. An amazing piece of equipment. Always fun to try and figure these older weapons out and easy to see why so many have been damaged over time from people not knowing. Thanks very much for sharing.
So I noticed on the final firing there that your bolt hold open did it's job. There is a striking similarity between the bolt lugs on the Johnson and the bolt lugs on an Armalite style rifle... What's old is new again? It's an interesting device. There are stories of these being issued to Marines in the Pacific. I need to add one to the collection, but they are a bit out of my price range... Thank you for going down the Rabbit hole on this beautiful machine for us.
All the Rube Goldberg stuff in this gun confirms to me that the Army made the right choice on the Garand. Extra capacity and all the other doodads in the world don't mean beans if the gun breaks or jams and can't be fixed quickly.
I have 3 of these he is good at what he has done. But he make it look hard to assemble. It’s really easy to assemble if you take your time. I can field strip and assemble in 25 seconds. And strip down to the degree he did and assemble in about 10 minutes.
I have one and it took 20 years to save up for one. Every time I had enough, the price jumped. I have a first production, first run, no letter prefix no bolt hold open. I agree, very easy to disassemble if you keep a cartridge in your pocket.
Still used by the Royal Dutch Marines in the Netherlands in the 1950s. Must have come from that original batch that the Dutch government ordered in 1941. This Johnson M1941 Rifle was really saved by you!
When my father passed away, I took his black powder gun collection to sell it at a gun shop. The amount offered seemed low. Then I asked if I could get his inoperable Johnson 1941 in trade. The gun store owner accepted that deal. I took the bolt out of the Johnson and noticed it was cracked with a corner missing. I bought another bolt on Ebay, only it was a Johnson LMG bolt. I found out when I went to Bass Pro Shops Range to test it and it ripped the rounds out on automatic. If I pressed the trigger, one at a time and if I held it down, all 10 bullets. They presumed it was bumping and told me not to let it go auto. LMG bolts are compatible and convert this gun to full automatic MG.
One of my favorite weapons. Took me 20 years to afford one. Every time I had enough they went up in price. Got to love the predecessor and design inspiration of the AR15. The AR's father!
Had the good luck in the early 1980's to meet a person who had a Johnson Automatic Rifle at a local rifle range. We took turns shooting the rifle at 100 yds.. Seemed to me at the time it didn't kick as much as the M1 did. You must be a firearm genius to be able to disassemble and reassemble this firearm..
A slip of the tongue on the butt tube was caught later one, nice! I'd like to note that my Johnson has a different retainer for the magazine to the front of the receiver, it's a second assembly pin like the one in the back. Mine does have the washers on the front foregrip as well though. My Bolt catch does function, kind of a pain to disengage because you have to push the follower down and release the bolt. Which with that.. interesting magazine design is an easy way to get Johnson Thumb :P Great work, love to see content on the Johnson!
Yours is the original,you had to be able to field strip the rifle with just the point of a bullet.The one that Mark showed was used by Winfield in their "sporter" version.
My mate had a Johnson before the Government here in Australia seized all Military semi-autos, and he and I spent ages discovering how it worked. We decided it was a Nightmare, considering that Siminov produced his rifle only a few years later, and Kalashnikov only two years after that ! But very interesting, all the same !!
Oh lord, I think I'm in love... I need to get my hands on a Johnson, now. Go ahead, make your dirty comments, I don't care... I just need one of those rifles.
It’s so awesome the attention to detail you put into these videos. Also being able to make the buffer is so cool. Very cool rifle and great video as always
Nice episode Mark, the Johnson Automatic Rifle has also been used by the Dutch Marines. However, it is very difficult to fine one, especially with the dutch markings.
I’d be scared to death to detail strip a gun that complicated that was that rare and I didn’t know about! I guess that’s how you get guns in boxes lol.
Germans: "Ve make ze most complicated auto battle rifles!" Swiss: "Non, mon amis, we make the most complicated auto battle rifles!" Americans: "Capt. Johnson chuckles and take a swig of his freedom beer."
I’ve found that my 1 year old son loves to watch your repair videos before falling asleep. Works every time he’s fussing I swear.
I fear we put everyone else to sleep as well. I prefer Scotch, to each his own I guess
@@marknovak8255 Would you believe your videos actually keep me awake? When I follow your advice I'm usually swearing like a sailor looking for a dropped pin or screw... :)
Mine do too my 4 year old asks lots of questions too haha
My six y/o is into this, wood turning, and those guys in the jungles digging palaces in the dirt...
@@jjeckerm06 Those guys are so talented, making really neat minature temples out of nothing.
You should get PBS money. This kind of content is a national treasure and a betterment of society.
Regards,
Marky
You have spoken truth, John1911
Mark IS a national treasure and we must keep him save at all cost haha.
I think that's why it is not on PBS, it's informative and wholesome!
Highly doubt PBS would make a show about guns..
@@eaglethehulk8539 I agree. PBS would never show anything about big scary guns.
Mark is a treasure. This is about the fifth video I watched since it popped up in my suggested videos. I subbed and rang the bell.
I restore/repair neglected electric guitars. I find some things I do the same and some things I learned that will help me.
I remember an old machinist guy had one 40 years ago, that I visited for some forgotten reason. He was rebarelling it and doing other reco work. Typical of gun nuts he was super friendly and said, look at this. Thanks Mark. They were great guys in that rifle club. I was a long haired 20 something kid but they didn't judge.
Johnson is lowkey an unsung hero of American firearm history. From introducing the multi-lug bolts that are so common today to pretty much being the man who is responsible to 5.56 development (he necked down .30 carbine to ~5mm, albeit it was not a commercial success at the time, unfortunately), he was definitely decades ahead of his time, just like the other irrational firearm designers like Korobov, though Korobov and Johnson had completely different taste and invented different things, both did not receive the praise they should have done.
Leave it to a Navy man to go playing with another man's Johnson.
thats mean .. and I cant stop laughing. thats some funny shit Blair
Sometimes, it takes a Nav NCO to make a Johnson do its job...
QUALIFYING STATEMENT: I’m the son of a Nav junior NCO (AMH2 Eckerman, wherever you may be, fair winds and following seas), who spent his Vietnam era GI Bill on a gunsmithing course.
I'm starting to believe in unicorns, with how much footage mark pumps out with them.
I saw one in a gun store once for $125. No one wanted it. Didn't know anything about Johnson at the time. Wish I had bought it.
Yes. that would have been a good investment.
The only time i have enjoyed watching someone fiddle with their Johnson
I fell in love with this rifle the moment I saw it. It's far too complicated to be assembled in the field, but I love the design more than the Garand anyway. The army made the best choice with the M1, and I like it too, but the rarity and engineering of the Johnson just seems to call to me. Thank you so much for this video.
Lotsa parts . I can see why the M1 Garand came out top dog . Still wouldn't feel under gunned with one though. Thank you Mark, for taking the time to show the workings of this classic!
That’s a huge Johnson.
It's actually about average.... :)
@@monkeyship74401 it looks bigger when it’s held by small hands.
@@dozer1642 LOLOLOL!!!!!!!
Damn right it is......some like guns that thick
@@marknovak8255 LOLOLOLOL!!!
Always a great day when an anvil drops.
I remember seeing about 8 Johnson rifles at a gun show, there was also a large hand written sign that read "all sold", or something along those lines.
I am 60 years old and am a history lover, especially WWII. This is the first time I have ever heard of this rifle much less seen one. Very informative. Thanks.
Forgotten Weapons has some good videos on the Johnson.
ua-cam.com/video/aY19tDMDvr4/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/aY19tDMDvr4/v-deo.html
and the Johnson LMG
ua-cam.com/video/nGpgPKkqtMs/v-deo.html
These were very uncommon.
As an aspiring gunsmith I appreciate how much effort you put in to these videos.
I've always found "Sailor Type Talk", or any branch really, to be preferable flinging tools around. I've worked with guys who get mad and start throwing tools and I have always found that ridiculous, or maybe even dangerous.
Another fantastic presentation. Thank you for providing them. 👍
I regretfully must admit I am one of those idiots. Many times I would just smash the object into pieces due to extreme frustration. I have learned to call professionals and watch if feasible or possibly just hold the light.
i was a tool thrower for a short time early in my career as an auto mechanic. Problem was, the tool you threw was always the one you needed next somehow. So now I'm mad, and crawling under my bench on hands and knees because the tool always ended up all the way against the wall...I learned very quickly to place the tool in my hand down on the workbench, and take a step back before attempting to vent my frustration...haha
In 2005 when the Cabela’s first opened up in Fort Worth we had one of these in the Gun Library. Beautiful weapon. I had never heard of a Johnson Rifle,only the Garand. I guess some Marine Raiders were issued this weapon in the Pacific and nobody else.
1SSF had a few as well, I think they did some horse trading to get them.
As always, no better way to spend my morning than to watch and listen to Mr. Novak work.
The original bolt handle and the extractor are also designed to be used as field screwdrivers. So, with a .30 Cal Ball Round and just the easily accessible components of the rifle, you can do a complete Field Strip of the weapon without any other tools.
To remove the Bolt Handle, you would use the ridge on the back of a .30 Cal case to slide up the pin in the center of the bolt handle to remove the bolt handle from the bolt. This also allows you to remove the extractor from the bolt.
The Bolt Hold Open is operated by the Magazine Follower. When the follower is all the way to "Magazine Empty" the bolt holder swings up and holds the bolt open so you are able to put in a 5rd charger and fill it.
Second take on the Great War- Best description I've ever heard.
We use to have the Johnson AR in the Dutch colonial army in Indonesia, a small number were used in the European theater of operations.
Aside from the six-lug rotating bolt, the buffer tube is also a clear indicator that this rifle had quite a bit of influence on Eugene Stoner’s design of the AR-15. This is a truly underrated design and it’s great to see it being restored so beautifully. A true testament to the appreciation for quality engineering
I bought mine when I was a teenager. Paid $50.00 for it! Owned it for 40 years and love to shoot it. In college we’d buy a full can of Ball ammo and shoot up the range. I wonder what it’s worth today.
I see them on gunbroker every now and then for a couple grand at least, usually above 5k
Lots.
I will give you 100 for it right now.. double your money..lol
Owning a Johnson 1941 has been a dream of mine ever since I first read about them in service with the Para Marines in the Pacific. Just have to win that darned lottery first.
Semper Fidelis!
Have to reread my family's copy of Fighting On Guadalcanal again to see if that was were I first read about the Johnson. Semper Fortis aeternum!
I feel fortunate never to have had to disassemble my JSAR. All it ever seems to need for cleaning is the removal of barrel and bolt and a wipe down. Very accurate, very pleasant to shoot. It's heresy, but in some ways I prefer it to a Garand.
Preference isn't necessarily heresy, just if you were to express an opinion upon the garrand being deficient in comparison. That would be heresy to most who would make the claim.
@@blairbuskirk5460 every action and system has it's deficiencies. Just depends on what pro's you want and what cons you can live with.
It's amazing to hear that the KNIL and the Marines first went to war in the Dutch East Indies with their Johnsons in hand.
No they didn’t. The Johnsons arrived to late. The Dutch Marines did used the Johnson right after the war for a short time. It quickly was replaced by the M1 Garand
@@dutchman2205 "The M1941 was ordered by the Netherlands for issue to the KNIL in the Dutch East Indies, but only 1,999 rifles were shipped to the Dutch East Indies before the Japanese invaded.[7] At this time, the U.S. Marine Corps found itself in need of a modern fast-firing infantry rifle, and acquired some rifles from the Dutch East Indies shipment for issue to its Paramarine battalions then preparing to deploy for action in the Pacific theatre. By all accounts,[citation needed] the M1941 performed acceptably in combat with the Marines in the early days of the Pacific fighting."
@@Kobrag90 a lot of the rifles from the Dutch East Indies troops ended up in Australia when they were evacuated. Most of the troops that stayed in Australia to go back in a Guerilla type operation were equipped then with Australian smle rifles and ammunition as they were only evacuated with the munitions they carried at the time.
@@dutchman2205 woooshhhh
This is the only way to really see how a particular arm works. You can field strip or watch someone strip it but unless you see the arm completely disassembled and reassembled you still don't completely know. Love theses especially this one so far..
Great video, thanks! I believe the hole in the bottom of the recoil spring plug is there to allow lubrication of the buffer assembly, which cannot otherwise be accessed.
There’s nothing like the unwinding to the sounds of a true artisan bringing this time capsule back to life. The soft tapping of a hammer, the low hum of a torch kissing the strong ancient steel, and the sturdy, positive locking of the huge reciprocating action really takes me to another place. I love this content and I really feel lucky to be able to experience this amazing work. Keep up the awesome content, Mark. We appreciate the valuable work that you bring to the historical and firearms community. It’s a labor of love, and we certainly can feel it. Keep it up my friend!
It's such a profound joy to see these pieces of history being brought back to life and conserved for the future generations, even though I'll personally never get to actually see them. Well done once again Mark!
Plenty of gun museums around. Some let you touch.
@@redtobertshateshandles There isn't even a single one here in Finland. Also I meant the specific individual guns being restored, but thank you anyway.
Don't recall how many times I had to take this thing apart to learn this same stuff, but it was plenty. If you need a new bolt handle, look around for one off a Remington Model 81.
I've never even heard of the Johnson Automatic Rifle. It's an absolute BEAUTY. Many Thanks.
Still waiting on our shipment of Johnson rifles here in The Netherlands.....
Actually some did arrive, there are even pictures of them in use by Royal Dutch Navy ( or possibly the marines on board a ship). But yeah not quick enough to save the KNIL from their doom.
They're at the bottom of the Sulu Sea.
😅😂😅😂😅😂
Used in Chilean Police 👍
I knew a old gunsmith years ago that repaired his cracked/broken toilet bowl wirh Acra Glass. I swear that between Acra Glass and Cerrosafe a fellow could probably cure erectile dis function! The best products on earth.
You have no idea how much I enjoy these videos, Now that IV8888 just does short showcases and off the cuff Gripes this helps fill the gaps :)
Even Eric has the same ammo supply problems we all do.
@@marknovak8255 its not that I miss his hands on videos especially when I was learning to reload
OK, this is a beauty of a gun. No doubt. But, what's more of interest for me is your well made explanations and lessons. I really appreciate the way you get into to the functionality of these guns and let us take part of your perceptions. Thumb up, and waiting for the next story...
Looking at those parts and manufacturing marks it looks similar to piston spring air rifles of the 1920-30s era - great work Mr. Novak.
Absolutely amazing video. Just found your channel and am stunned how educational, knowledgeable, and thorough this was.
Mark Novak is the best.
Friday, Anvil and a couple fingers scotch!! Nice lead into the weekend. Thank you Mark and crew.
Mark is a gracious host. Thank you for letting us join you on these adventures in weaponry.
Mark, Thank you! Always outstanding to see some history come through the shop and go out in operating conditions and better 99.9999% of the time. Always a pleasure to see your content and information.
Glad you enjoyed it
It’s amazing to me the ingenuity and creativity that people possess
Neat old rifle Thank you for letting us follow along with you
Great job! It was a pleasure watching you tinker with another guy's Johnson. Now I need to take a shower.
a COLD one ?
Great work Mark, in bringing it back from the dead!!
Thanks. This one had been Parkerized, without being disassembled.......gadzooks
@@marknovak8255 Some peoples' children...
@@marknovak8255 And +10 points for the use of the word "gadzooks".... 🙂
Learning something new every time I watch your work. I loved the intermission to explain the missing component behind the recoil spring. It made me laugh for sure.
I had a chance to buy one of these. Money was the issue, of course. But I would have been totally at-sea with this design if I had. I am quite impressed that Melvin Johnson got that rotary magazine working in such a short time.
I've always thought that this magazine system has some real advantages over the Garand...I like that "top up the mag" feature.
Its not as good as a detachable box mag....but better than a Garand en bloc clip, for sure.
And it used the standard stripper clips that the '03 used...
And no garand-thumb.
And no death-ping...
Not that it exist.
@@1r0zz you can still get Johnson Thumb.
I've read that vets said you could "top off" garands but I'm not sure how. I would say that topping off a Johnson would be far easier given the layout
@@endutubecensorship And it could be done with the bolt closed and a round in the chamber,either single cartridges or on 5 round stripper clips.The trick was not to shoot until the mag was empty but just keep topping it up.
Outstanding. An amazing piece of equipment. Always fun to try and figure these older weapons out and easy to see why so many have been damaged over time from people not knowing. Thanks very much for sharing.
I planned time to watch this. Wonderful. thank you for the time and effort.
I plan on buying a Johnson rifle after I retire from my first career job as a gift to myself. It and an MP44 are the two guns I love most.
So I noticed on the final firing there that your bolt hold open did it's job. There is a striking similarity between the bolt lugs on the Johnson and the bolt lugs on an Armalite style rifle... What's old is new again?
It's an interesting device. There are stories of these being issued to Marines in the Pacific. I need to add one to the collection, but they are a bit out of my price range...
Thank you for going down the Rabbit hole on this beautiful machine for us.
Johnson helped with the design on the Armalite rifles if I remember correctly. :D
@@catfuz yes you are correct
Thank you for bringing to light a lesser known firearm. Great video Mr. Novak.
The butt tube slides through this hole, and it's a tight fit. - Mark Novak
All the Rube Goldberg stuff in this gun confirms to me that the Army made the right choice on the Garand. Extra capacity and all the other doodads in the world don't mean beans if the gun breaks or jams and can't be fixed quickly.
Always love your work Mark. Unfortunate that more of your work doesn't make it on UA-cam. Bravo Sir!
It’s weird to see mark working on his Johnson on camera
The occasional eye-contact does make it a bit awkward...
Can you blame a man? Sometimes your Johnson needs some love and attention.
The weird part is that it's not even his Johnson.
@@seanbaker9796 lmfao
Mark sure know how to handle a Johnson.
I have 3 of these he is good at what he has done. But he make it look hard to assemble. It’s really easy to assemble if you take your time. I can field strip and assemble in 25 seconds. And strip down to the degree he did and assemble in about 10 minutes.
I have one and it took 20 years to save up for one. Every time I had enough, the price jumped. I have a first production, first run, no letter prefix no bolt hold open. I agree, very easy to disassemble if you keep a cartridge in your pocket.
Impressive Johnson you've got there, really.
Still used by the Royal Dutch Marines in the Netherlands in the 1950s.
Must have come from that original batch that the Dutch government ordered in 1941.
This Johnson M1941 Rifle was really saved by you!
Dutch oredered the M1941 rifle, hence the meters on the sight!
You are awesome Mark !
When my father passed away, I took his black powder gun collection to sell it at a gun shop. The amount offered seemed low. Then I asked if I could get his inoperable Johnson 1941 in trade. The gun store owner accepted that deal. I took the bolt out of the Johnson and noticed it was cracked with a corner missing. I bought another bolt on Ebay, only it was a Johnson LMG bolt.
I found out when I went to Bass Pro Shops Range to test it and it ripped the rounds out on automatic. If I pressed the trigger, one at a time and if I held it down, all 10 bullets. They presumed it was bumping and told me not to let it go auto.
LMG bolts are compatible and convert this gun to full automatic MG.
One of my favorite weapons. Took me 20 years to afford one. Every time I had enough they went up in price.
Got to love the predecessor and design inspiration of the AR15. The AR's father!
Rare bird. Thanks for keeping it running, sir.
Remember as a kid seeing them sell for $40.00 in the fifties
Had the good luck in the early 1980's to meet a person who had a Johnson Automatic Rifle at a local rifle range. We took turns shooting the rifle at 100 yds.. Seemed to me at the time it didn't kick as much as the M1 did. You must be a firearm genius to be able to disassemble and reassemble this firearm..
Thank you very for working hard on the focus and giving us the best possible angles.
Another fascinating video, amazing detail as usual, thanks.
A slip of the tongue on the butt tube was caught later one, nice! I'd like to note that my Johnson has a different retainer for the magazine to the front of the receiver, it's a second assembly pin like the one in the back. Mine does have the washers on the front foregrip as well though. My Bolt catch does function, kind of a pain to disengage because you have to push the follower down and release the bolt. Which with that.. interesting magazine design is an easy way to get Johnson Thumb :P
Great work, love to see content on the Johnson!
Yours is the original,you had to be able to field strip the rifle with just the point of a bullet.The one that Mark showed was used by Winfield in their "sporter" version.
Wow! Thank you for this video. Just outstanding!!!
Man you’re a genius and I fell in love with that rifle , it’s the first one I’ve seen on any of the utube videos
Mark, the Anvil Etsy store is all out of your custom Cerrosafe crucibles. Let us know when they are back in stock. TIA!!
The stock repairs look brilliant Mark. Great job.
Mark is truly an artist! I enjoy all of his videos.
My mate had a Johnson before the Government here in Australia seized all Military semi-autos, and he and I spent ages discovering how it worked. We decided it was a Nightmare, considering that Siminov produced his rifle only a few years later, and Kalashnikov only two years after that ! But very interesting, all the same !!
hope he kept it and hid it from the commies
"That's quite a mechanical contraption" said the gentleman.
I love this series so much
I had a chance to buy one about 30 years ago from a guy at work along with a PIAT. Man…..
As someone who opened a shop earlier this month. I’d love to have a chat with Mark.
Good luck with your business!
I'm sure AvE would love to help you as a focus consultant
FOOOCUS YOU FACK !
Liver pudding, fried eggs, gentleman jack, and a 40+ minute anvil vid on a Friday night. Does it get any better?
"Hey bro you got that new BAR?"
"Nah fam we have the JAR"
Yes
Definitely the AR-15 's grandpappy
Wow that rifle is my kind of beautiful. Thanks so much, Mark.
Oh lord, I think I'm in love...
I need to get my hands on a Johnson, now.
Go ahead, make your dirty comments, I don't care... I just need one of those rifles.
I don't want to sell my Johnson but I do let different women use it from time to time 😂😂😂
Beautiful walk thru Mark. Hello from Australia.
Howdy from the states!
Very clever use of the Cerrosafe. I like that trick.
I use it to pop stuck cases out of chambers also
It’s so awesome the attention to detail you put into these videos. Also being able to make the buffer is so cool. Very cool rifle and great video as always
Nice episode Mark, the Johnson Automatic Rifle has also been used by the Dutch Marines. However, it is very difficult to fine one, especially with the dutch markings.
Such a great combo of interesting design features and ability to top off the mag at any time. Very cool gun!
"I'm not entirely sure this was designed to come apart but it did," XD
That mag is Farquhar Hill levels of insane.
I’d be scared to death to detail strip a gun that complicated that was that rare and I didn’t know about! I guess that’s how you get guns in boxes lol.
Another excellent video Sir!
Thanks, humpin' to please
The love given to that rifle is in such stark contrast to the abomination on gunbroker
Beautiful work on that stock! Really like the explanation of the forces put on that round wedge.
One of the most underrated rifles ever ..
Germans: "Ve make ze most complicated auto battle rifles!"
Swiss: "Non, mon amis, we make the most complicated auto battle rifles!"
Americans: "Capt. Johnson chuckles and take a swig of his freedom beer."
mes amis*
Beautiful work as always. These are way overengineered compared to the Garand, IMHO-John in Texas